Recreation
Hiking
Crabtree Falls Trail
The Crabtree Falls Trail features a series of five cascades and a number of smaller ones that fall a total distance of 1,200 feet. Please be aware that this is a fee area. For current fee information, please check the current fee schedule.
The trail provides views of the falls from overlooks constructed to accent the beauty of the valley. The first overlook is just 700 feet from the lower parking lot, making it an excellent stopover for travelers. The more adventuresome hiker may continue to other overlooks, to Crabtree Meadows where the trail ends, or to the Appalachian Trail, which is just one half mile beyond Crabtree Meadows.
The peak season for viewing the waterfalls is from winter through spring, when the water is high. Although the water flow is lower during the remainder of the year, the trail is still popular.
Good hiking boots or comfortable shoes are recommended. During the winter, the trail may be covered with ice and should be traveled with extreme caution.
Crabtree Falls Trail is in the Blue Ridge Mountains off State Route 56, a narrow winding State Highway in Nelson Coundy. It may also be reached via State Route 826, a dirt road recommended for four-wheel drive or high-axle vehicles only.
Environment and Safety Rules
In order to minimize environmental damage to the area and to provide for the safety of hikers, the Forest Service has established the following regulations:
- Camping, fires, campfires, and campstoves are NOT permitted within 100 feet of the South Fork of the Tye River, within 500 feet along either side of the Crabtree Falls Trail, and within 500 feet of the outside edges of the parking lot off State Route 56 and the parking lot at Crabtree Meadows.
- Bicycles, any motorized vehicles, saddle, pack, and draft animals are not permitted on the Crabtree Falls Trail.
- Hikers should leave the area in a natural condition. The "pack-it-in, pack-it-out" system is used to minimize clean-up costs.
- To protect natural vegetation and prevent erosion, taking shortcuts between segments of the trail is prohibitied.
- Please do not bring alcholic beverages.
Warning
Stay on the trail! Do not climb the rocks around the observation points or wade in the stream. The terrain is extremely dangerous.
The cliffs and paths near the stream are steep and the rocks are deceptively slippery. In the past few years a number of hikers have been swept over the falls to their death or injured in falls after venturing too clsoe to the waterfalls.
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